WNBA Playoffs Open with Injuries, Key Matchups in Minnesota, Las Vegas, Seattle

The 2025 WNBA playoffs feature the Las Vegas Aces facing the Seattle Storm and the Minnesota Lynx competing against the Golden State Valkyries in the first round. The Aces, holding the No. 2 seed with a 30-14 record and a season-best 16-0 winning streak post All-Star break, are expected to dominate the series despite splitting regular-season games evenly with the Storm, who finished seventh in the standings. The Storm will be without forward Katie Lou Samuelson due to an ACL injury, while the Aces have mostly healthy players. The Minnesota Lynx, the top seed with a 34-10 record, have dominated the Valkyries this season, winning all four matchups, and are led by Napheesa Collier, who is having an MVP-caliber season. The Valkyries, making their first playoff appearance at 23-21, will rely on a zone defense to try to contain the Lynx’s potent offense, but Minnesota’s superior defense and offensive firepower make them favorites. Both playoff series will be broadcast on ESPN networks and streamed on services like Fubo, with the Lynx entering the series with no injuries reported.